Baseball Begins Fall Workouts Under New Field Improvements
9/22/2016 12:14:00 PM | Baseball
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DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson baseball began its fall practice season Sunday at the new-and-improved Wilson Field, welcoming nearly a dozen newcomers to a veteran squad that made history last season as the first No. 6 seed ever to play in the Atlantic 10 title game.
The Wildcats practiced as a full team for the first time, participating in live hitting and batting practice in addition to the conditioning drills and skills work they were allowed to do before Sunday.
Wilson Field, the home for Davidson baseball since 1967, underwent several renovations and improvements this past offseason. To go along with a new scoreboard, outfield fence, padded backstop, and dugout railings that were all completed last year, the field was given a brand new warning track (with drainage) extending around the entire field, new infield grass, and new outfield foul line drainage. Perhaps the biggest addition to the ballpark was the bullpen, where the Wildcats will now have four practice mounds as well as a turf area for catchers to train. A new fence extends around the bullpens, helping to add safety and allow the players to focus more easily.
The 'Cats top two hitting leaders from last season return in senior captains Brian Fortier (.327) and Jake Sidwell (.309), and the experienced pitching staff will be anchored by fifth-year senior and fellow captain Durin O'Linger, a 2015 A-10 Pitcher of the Week and All-Academic Team selection. Fortier was selected to the 2015 A-10 Championship team after standout play during the tournament, and Sidwell was the first Davidson player to ever be selected in the MLB Draft out of high school.
Davidson's fall roster includes nine freshmen and one transfer who join 29 returners, including senior Cameron Marshall and sophomore Eric Jones, who each garnered All-Star selections after exceptional summer seasons in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.
The Wildcats will host Scout Day on Monday, Oct. 17, and conclude the fall season with the Red and Black World Series, likely to be held the weekend of Oct. 28-30.
Davidson will begin its 2017 campaign in February.
Video Preview
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson baseball began its fall practice season Sunday at the new-and-improved Wilson Field, welcoming nearly a dozen newcomers to a veteran squad that made history last season as the first No. 6 seed ever to play in the Atlantic 10 title game.
The Wildcats practiced as a full team for the first time, participating in live hitting and batting practice in addition to the conditioning drills and skills work they were allowed to do before Sunday.
Wilson Field, the home for Davidson baseball since 1967, underwent several renovations and improvements this past offseason. To go along with a new scoreboard, outfield fence, padded backstop, and dugout railings that were all completed last year, the field was given a brand new warning track (with drainage) extending around the entire field, new infield grass, and new outfield foul line drainage. Perhaps the biggest addition to the ballpark was the bullpen, where the Wildcats will now have four practice mounds as well as a turf area for catchers to train. A new fence extends around the bullpens, helping to add safety and allow the players to focus more easily.
The 'Cats top two hitting leaders from last season return in senior captains Brian Fortier (.327) and Jake Sidwell (.309), and the experienced pitching staff will be anchored by fifth-year senior and fellow captain Durin O'Linger, a 2015 A-10 Pitcher of the Week and All-Academic Team selection. Fortier was selected to the 2015 A-10 Championship team after standout play during the tournament, and Sidwell was the first Davidson player to ever be selected in the MLB Draft out of high school.
Davidson's fall roster includes nine freshmen and one transfer who join 29 returners, including senior Cameron Marshall and sophomore Eric Jones, who each garnered All-Star selections after exceptional summer seasons in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.
The Wildcats will host Scout Day on Monday, Oct. 17, and conclude the fall season with the Red and Black World Series, likely to be held the weekend of Oct. 28-30.
Davidson will begin its 2017 campaign in February.
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